Selling out of date food?

OneYorkshireLass

Is it legal for supermarkets to sell out of date food (I'm talking 3 months out)? The product I bought was the normal price, not reduced or anything, or labelled as being out of date, it was from the baking aisle.

The product itself tasted of mould. I've emailed the supermarket, they've asked for more information which I've submitted and am awaiting their reply.

The reason I ask is because the manufacturer of the product says it's not illegal for shops to sell products that are out of date ... surely this isn't right?

fluffnutter

3 months out of date sounds like a genuine mistake, probably in labelling (i.e. the food wasn't actually made three months ago). It depends. What was it?

Out of interest was it a sell by date, or a use by date, or perhaps a best before date?

But to answer your question, it's not illegal per se to sell out of date food although it might depend on which type of date was being breached (see question above).

vuvuzela

If it is past the 'use by' then it is illegal.
If it is past the 'best before' then it is not illegal.
Which one was it ?

OneYorkshireLass

fluffnutter wrote: »

3 months out of date sounds like a genuine mistake, probably in labelling (i.e. the food wasn't actually made three months ago).

Out of interest was it a sell by date, or a use by date, or perhaps a best before date?

But to answer your question, it's not illegal per se to sell out of date food although it might depend on which type of date was being breached (see question above).

I find that bizarre tbh. I emailed the manufacturer (Premier Foods) because they have previously admitted to me that there is a problem with the labelling of their 'best before' date (you can barely read the date because it's covered with an image). The product was custard in a small tub that you put in the microwave to heat - so not the 'fresh' stuff.

I wouldn't be bothered about eating something 3 months after the BB date if it didn't taste of mould!

peachyprice

If it's a 'best before' date, as indicated in your last post, then no, it's not illegal.

All the 'best before' date indicates is that the quality may deteriorate after that date, not that the product will go off after that date.

DCFC79

They will most likely gve you some vouchers so take them and spend them.

moonrakerz

The only "mould" that I know the taste of is Stilton............:D

fluffnutter

What supermarket was it? Most have a policy of not selling food past its best before/sell by date.

OneYorkshireLass

fluffnutter wrote: »

What supermarket was it? Most have a policy of not selling food past its best before/sell by date.

Morrisons. I sent more info to them via email on Friday, haven't had a response yet. Their reply to my first email was fast though ...

Lol, I knew someone would pick up on how I know what mould tastes like! I know what it smells like, and now, unfortunately, know what it tastes like too